It seems that whenever disaster strikes, Shigeru Ban is summoned to the scene to help. This year's winner of architecture's most prestigious award, the Pritzker Prize, the innovative Japanese architect has won many accolades in the past for his various humanitarian projects. One of 20 designers nominated for the 2013 Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Ban designed 100 small homes for Sri Lankan villagers who were displaced after the 2004 tsunami leveled the village of Kirinda. Learn more about this heartwarming project after the jump, or check out 10 top Shigeru Ban projects to better understand why he is one of Inhabitat's most admired designers.

After consulting with locals about the preferred layout of their new micro homes, Ban designed the 31 square meter homes with a bathroom and kitchen that is separated by the living area. This last stipulation was government driven. In order to help boost the local economy after the tsunami’s wholesale destruction, Ban made use of local labor and materials.

Each of the 100 homes has walls made with earth bricks, while partitions and finishings are comprised of local rubber tree wood. A shared entertainment space is covered, allowing for community activities. The homes are specifically attuned to the local climate and the entire complex has an area of 3,195 square meters.